Oakland County executive skipping Mackinac conference

PONTIAC (AP) — Oakland County’s top elected official says he doesn’t plan to attend this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference because he’s been using a wheelchair since an August car crash.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson tells the Detroit Free Press that he doesn’t think Mackinac Island “is very user-friendly for a wheelchair.” He says he’s improving, but his range of motion would prevent him from getting around.

Patterson usually participates in a raucous, irreverent and fast-paced panel at the event featuring several other Detroit-area leaders.

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual conference brings together politicians and business leaders. The chamber has said former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will be the keynote speaker at the late-May event, and he’s expected to talk about education, immigration and economic growth.